Blackberry plant named ‘PBB 1616T’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of blackberry named ‘PBB 1616T’ is characterized by early season production of consistently shaped, elongated fruit borne on erect spineless primocanes. This new cultivar is identified, among other things, by its precocity, less intensive cane management needs, firmness, and low color reversion during postharvest performance. Root and subsequent spawn development is moderate in the first year of production.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus L.subgenus Rubus.

Variety denomination: ‘PBB 1616T’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blackberries are a commercially important member of the Rosaceae family,known botanically as Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson. Similar toraspberries (Rubus idaeus), individual blackberry fruits are formed byan aggregation of drupelets attached to a fleshy torus (receptacle).Unlike raspberries, the torus remains connected to the blackberrydrupelets upon harvest, and is consumed. Each drupelet contains a seed(pyrene), that is surrounded by a fleshy mesocarp (pulp) and exocarp(fruit skin). Blackberries are revered for their health benefits andenjoyed as jams, jellies, juice, frozen and fresh products.

Production of fresh-market blackberries has expanded significantly overthe past 20 years, and fruits are now are available globally. Advancesin blackberry breeding, in particular the development ofprimocane-fruiting (remontancy) by the University of Arkansas, hasenhanced the ability to produce crops in non-temperate regions, whereberries have not been grown historically. Additionally, selectionpressure for firmness has allowed for blackberries to be shippedinternationally to the high-demand markets of North America and Europe.

Seeds of the present cultivar, ‘PBB 1616T’, were obtained as part of abulk seed purchase from a private third party in 2015. No informationspecific to ‘PBB 1616T’ was provided from the seller, including that noparental information was disclosed. The identification of ‘PBB 1616T’from the germinated plants of the bulk seeds, and subsequent advancementof ‘PBB 1616T’ was done by the inventor. ‘PBB 1616T’ offers significantadvantages over the existing, patented primocane-fruiting blackberryvariety ‘APF-45’ (marketed under the trade name Prime Ark® 45), U.S.Plant Pat. No. 22,449. Another example of an existing, patentedprimocane-fruiting blackberry variety is ‘APF-122’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.27,401 P3). A further example of an existing primocane-fruitingblackberry variety is ‘APF-190T’ (marketed under the trade name PrimeArk® Traveler)', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,598 P3.

Compared to ‘APF-45’, which is spiny, the present cultivar is spineless.Further, the present cultivar requires less intensive cane management,particularly the tipping of canes (removal of the upper 10-15 cm of avegetative primocane apex), which is critical in the management of‘APF-45’. Intensive cane management leads to higher labor and productioncosts.

Compared with ‘APF-122’, berries of the present invention are larger,more elongated and blockier in shape, whereas the former are medium-sizeand have a conic shape. Under postharvest conditions, ‘PBB 1616T’ isfirmer and develops less color reversion (drupelet reddening) after 7days in cold storage than ‘APF-122’.

Compared to ‘APF-190T’, the intensity of primocane-fruiting is higher inthe present cultivar, allowing a heavier yield in the autumn crop.Plants of ‘PBB 1616T’ are also more precocious than ‘APF-190T’, allowingberries to be harvested 5-6 months after planting versus 8-9 months.

Thus, ‘PBB 1616T’ is a new and distinct primocane-fruiting blackberrycultivar that can be identified, among other things, by itsspinelessness, precocity, less intensive cane management needs,firmness, and low color reversion during postharvest performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 is a close-up photograph showing the approximate berry size onprimocanes and canopy height of ‘PBB 1616T’.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the pentafoliate leaflet borne from vegetativebuds found on ‘PBB 1616T’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the trifoliate leaflet borne from reproductivebuds found on ‘PBB 1616T’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the spineless cane of ‘PBB 1616T’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Note: statements of characteristics herein represent exemplaryobservations of the cultivar herein and will vary depending on time ofyear, location, annual weather, etc. Where dimensions, sizes, colors,and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that suchcharacteristics are approximations and averages. The descriptionsreported herein are from specimen plants at 6 months for primocanes, 14months for floricanes, with a crown age of 14 months. The specimens wereobserved in Spring and Autumn 2019 in Watsonville, Calif. The colordetermination is in accordance with The 2007 R.H.S. Colour Chart (FifthEdition) of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Cultivar Name: ‘PBB 1616T’.

Classification:

Family: Rosaceae.

Botanical name: Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.

Common name: Blackberry.

Parentage:

Female parent: Unknown.

Male parent: Unknown.

‘PBB 1616T’ was first identified in a substrate block with otherseedlings in September 2016 at Watsonville, Calif. USA. ‘PBB 1616T’ wasfirst propagated asexually by crown division in November 2016 inWatsonville, Calif. USA. The crown on the original plant was separatedinto basal cane pieces (approximately 15 cm long) with root attached andreplanted into a single larger pot and placed inside a screenhouse onsite. The remaining root pieces were chilled for 4 weeks, then plantedinside a heated greenhouse to force adventitious shoots. Approximately20 adventitious shoots were excised, rooted, and planted the followingspring for further evaluation of the selection.

In September 2017, two young actively growing primocanes were excisedand shipped to Lafayette, Oreg. USA, where vegetative material wasexplanted and established in vitro for micropropagation. This tissueculture propagation method has allowed for additional, more extensivetesting of ‘PBB 1616T’ and aided in determining that this cultivar isgenetically stable.

Growing location for the observations herein: Watsonville, Calif., SantaCruz County, USA.

Time of year (season): Spring and Autumn 2019.

Age of plants used for this discussion: 6 months for primocanes, 14months for floricanes.

Age of plants used for the photographs in the Figures: 6 months forprimocanes, 14 months for floricanes.

Type of greenhouse covering or growing structure, or field: Substrateblock with high tunnel over plants.

Light: Natural.

Pinch dates: May 2019, on young primocanes.

Color terminology where noted were followed using The R.H.S. ColourChart, Royal Horticultural Society, Fifth Edition, London, UnitedKingdom (2007).

Observations for floricanes herein were made in May 2019. Observationsfor primocanes herein were made in September 2019.

-   Plant:    -   -   Form/shape.—Vase/Upright.        -   Growth habit.—Erect.        -   Height.—1.9 m as measured from cane base to cane apex.        -   Spread.—72.4 cm as measured from lateral leaf tip to lateral            leaf tip.        -   Propagation method.—Tissue culture (in vitro).        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—25 days.        -   Root description.—Generally of thick diameter,            brownish-white color with a smooth, glossy texture. Few            feeder roots present. ‘PBB 1616T’ generally produces spawn            (shoots) from roots with moderate vigor.        -   Young shoots.—Anthocyanin coloration during rapid growth:            Absent. Intensity of green coloration: Medium. Number of            glandular hairs: Medium.-   Primocanes:    -   -   Diameter.—Base: 1.5 cm|Middle: 0.9 cm|Tip: 0.5 cm.        -   Length.—179.3 cm.        -   Number of nodes.—28.        -   Internode length.—Base: 8.8 cm|Middle: 5.1 cm|Tip: 4.6 cm.        -   Number of canes/pot.—11.        -   Cane color.—Undertone is RHS 144A; Overtone is RHS 177A.        -   Cane shape in cross-section.—Rounded Spines (present or            absent): Absent. Density: Base — N/A Middle — N/A Tip — N/A.            Shape: N/A. Length: N/A. Width: N/A. Apex descriptor: N/A.            Color: N/A.        -   Bud shape.—Rounded. Length: 0.64 cm. Diameter (base):            0.19 cm. Diameter (tip): 0.12 cm. Color: RHS 143C. Texture:            Mildly pubescent.-   Floricanes:    -   -   Diameter.—Base: 1.2 cm|Middle: 0.9 cm|Tip: 0.9 cm.        -   Length.—89.4 m.        -   Number of nodes.—21.        -   Internode length.—Base: 4.6 cm|Middle: 4.2 cm|Tip: 3.8 cm.        -   Cane color.—        -   Lower cane.—Undertone is RHS 144C; Overtone is RHS 146A.        -   Upper cane.—Undertone is RHS146B; Overtone is RHS 187A.        -   Cane shape in cross-section.—Rounded.        -   Spines.—Absent. Spine density: Base — N/A Middle — N/A Tip —            N/A. Spine shape: N/A. Spine length: N/A. Spine width: N/A.            Spine apex descriptor: N/A. Spine color: N/A.        -   Bud shape.—Rounded. Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter (base):            0.19 cm. Diameter (tip): 0.12 cm. Color: RHS 143B. Texture:            Mildly pubescent.        -   Winter hardiness.—Unknown for ‘PBB 1616T’ outside of USDA            Hardiness Zone 9b (Watsonville, Calif. USA). This cultivar            is well adapted to the mild coastal conditions of            California.        -   Drought/heat tolerance.—Pollen viability and fruit quality            of blackberry generally begins to decline above 30° C. This            is consistent with observations of ‘PBB 1616T’. Blackberries            are generally drought tolerant, however ‘PBB 1616T’ has not            been tested under unirrigated conditions.-   Leaves:    -   -   Time of leaf bud burst.—Early.        -   Complete leaf.—Type: Palmate. Length: 24.0 cm. Width:            15.8 cm. Number of leaflets: 3 to 5.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Size: Length: 10.5 cm. Width: 10.1 cm.            Length/Width ratio: 1.0. Shape of leaf apex: Acute. Shape of            leaf base: Terminal leaf: Cordate. Basal lateral leaflets:            Cordate. Margin: Triply Senate. Texture: Rigid interveinal            puckering. Number of serrations/leaf: 115. Shape of            serrations: Flexuous Color: Upper Surface: RHS 147A. Lower            Surface: RHS 147B. Venation pattern: Reticulate. Venation            Color: Upper surface: RHS 144C. Lower surface: RHS 144D.            Leaf pubescence density: Very sparse on topside, only            densely present along veins on underside. Color of leaf            pubescence: RHS N155A. Shape of leaf in cross-section:            Simple cordate leaflet. Number of leaflets/leaf: Primocane:            3 to 5. Floricane: 3 to 5. Interveinal blistering: Present,            mild. Glossiness: Absent.        -   Primocane leaves.—Petiole length: 9.0 cm. Petiole diameter:            0.34 cm. Petiole Color: Upper: Undertone is RHS 144C;            Overtone is RHS 178A. Lower: Undertone is RHS 146C; Overtone            is RHS 144C. Petiole texture: Pubescent. Petiole strength:            Very strong. Rachis length: 4.5 cm. Rachis color: RHS177A.            Rachis texture: Pubescent. Stipule length: 1.2 cm. Stipules            per leaf: 2. Stipule Width: 0.08 cm.        -   Stipule color.—Upper Surface: RHS 144A; On tip RHS 177A.            Lower Surface: RHS 146A; On tip RHS 177A.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 10.4 cm. Width: 8.5 cm. Rachis            length: 4.8 cm.        -   Distal lateral leaflet.—Length: 10.3 cm. Width: 7.8 cm.            Petiolule length: 1.36 cm.        -   Basal lateral leaflet.—Length: 7.7 cm. Width: 5.9 cm.            Petiolule length: 0.6 cm.        -   Floricane leaves.—Petiole length: 7.7 cm. Stipule length:            0.9 cm. Stipules per leaf: 2. Stipule Width: 0.1 cm. Stipule            Color: RHS 187A. Color: Upper surface: Undertone is RHS            137B; Overtone is RHS 145A; On tip RHS 181A. Lower surface:            RHS 137C; On tip RHS 181A.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 9.7 cm. Width: 8.5 cm.        -   Distal lateral leaflet.—Length: N/A. Width: N/A.        -   Basal lateral leaflet.—Length: 8.6 cm. Width: 6.1 cm.        -   Petiolule.—Length: 0.04 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: Upper            surface: RHS 146C. Lower surface: RHS 146C.-   Flowers:    -   -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—April 10            on floricanes. June 25 on primocanes.        -   Size.—Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 4.3 cm.        -   Fragrance.—Lightly sweet scent.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 6.02 cm. Diameter: 0.19 cm. Color: RHS            144B. Pubescence: Puberulent. Texture: Soft, velvety from            puberulence. Strength: Very strong.        -   Perianth.—Flowering trusses shape: Truncate.        -   Petals.—Upper color: Undertone is RHS 157D; Overtone is RHS            65B. Lower color: Undertone is RHS 157D Overtone is RHS            N155B. Number per flower: 5. Shape: Obovate. Length: 1.8 cm.            Width: 1.6 cm. Apex descriptor: Rounded. Base Descriptor:            Truncate. Margin descriptor: Entire. Texture: Smooth with            visible striations.        -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5. Length: 1.4 cm. Width: Base: 0.7            cm|Mid: 0.5 cm|Tip: 0.1 cm. Color: Undertone is RHS 145B;            Overtone is RHS 138A. Apex descriptor: Acuminate. Outer            texture: Pubescent. Inner texture: Puberulent. Margin            descriptor: Entire.        -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 144A. Length: 1.9 cm. Diameter: 0.13 cm.            Strength: Very strong.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Self-fertile.—Yes.        -   Male.—Stamen number: 140. Filament Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter:            0.01 cm. Color: Undertone is RHS 158D; Overtone is RHS 177C.        -   Anther length.—0.04 cm. Diameter: 0.06 cm. Color: RHS N167A.        -   Pollen color.—RHS 146D. Amount: Sparse.        -   Female.—        -   Style.—Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: 0.01 cm. Color: RHS 146D.        -   Stigma.—Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: 0.01 cm. Color: RHS 153A.        -   Ovary.—Length: 0.02 cm. Diameter: 0.004 cm. Color: RHS 145C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Fruiting lateral length.—Medium.        -   Predominant shape.—Blocky.        -   Weight.—6.3 gm.        -   Length.—2.9 cm.        -   Width.—2.0 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.47.        -   Receptacle.—Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter: Base: 0.8 cm|Middle:            0.6 cm|Tip: 0.5 cm. Color: RHS 60A.        -   Drupelet.—Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Number: 75-90.        -   Drupelet weight.—0.08 gm.        -   Fruit color.—External: RHS 203D. Internal: RHS 203D.            Firmness of fruit skin: Very firm. Firmness of fruit flesh:            Very firm. Hollow center: Absent (torus present in            blackberries). Number of fruit per node: 24 on a fruiting            lateral. Time of ripening (50% of plants with first fruit):            25 May on floricanes; 15-August on primocanes. Time of            fruiting: Early. Type of bearing: Remontant.        -   Fruit yield.—Floricanes: 6,000 lb/a. Primocanes: 20,000            lb/a. Average brix: 11.3. Acidity: 0.6%. Market use: Fresh.            Keeping quality: Excellent. Shipping quality: Excellent.-   Pest and disease resistance: Field and substrate trials of ‘PBB    1616T’ have shown tolerance to Agrobacterium tumifasciens, powdery    mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), and Botrytis. ‘PBB 1616T’ is    susceptible to downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa) under cool, wet    springtime conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Blackberry plantnamed ‘PBB 1616T’ as described and shown herein.